Board considers bonds to cover hospital taxes

Thursday

May 9, 2013 at 9:30 AM

Wethersfield schools

Dave Clarke

After honoring a retiring board member, the Wethersfield School Board held its reorganizational meeting Tuesday night, two days early to meet the May 7 deadline for swearing in new board members.A resolution was passed and certificate presented recognizing Denny Nelson for over 35 years of service "to the students, the community and the school in general." Nelson did not seek re-election April 9.Four board members were seated after their election to four-year terms. They were newcomer Steve Newman and incumbents Sue Brody, Dennis Kenney and Mark Fargher.Kenney was voted board president; Dan Bryan vice president; Brody, secretary; and Fargher district treasurer. All were re-elected for two-year terms. Debbie Spets was re-appointed custodian of the activity fund and Brody re-appointed representative to the Henry-Stark Special Education District Board.The following board members were named representatives to various school organizations:- Dan Bryan — PATT- Tyrone Baker — Music Boosters- Steve Newman — Athletic Boosters- Dave Reeves — Wethersfield Academic Foundation- Dennis Kenney — Unit CommitteeDesignated depositories of school district funds were Community State Bank, Peoples National Bank of Kewanee, State Bank of Toulon, First Federal, Union Federal and the Illinois Liquid Asset Fund.The time, date and location of regular monthly meetings remains unchanged at 6:30 p.m. on the second Thursday of the month in the unit office in the Blish Building.The board also held a public hearing on issuance of $600,000 in working cash bonds to cover shortfalls on on-demand funds in the FY13 levy created by repayment of property taxes to Kewanee Hospital. A public hearing on the amended FY13 budget, which shows a $583,500 deficit in all operating funds, will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 13, prior to the regular monthly meeting.It was announced that the district has received a $5,000 federal STEM (Science, Technology. Engineering and Math) Back to Books grant applied for by Learning Resources Director Julie O'Riley.Junior high science teacher Cathy Dana has been accepted for a summer program at Illinois State University on renewable energy education, primarily in the areas of wind and solar energy. Superintendent Shane Kazubowski announced that the state is once again making matching grants of up to $50,000 available for maintenance projects. This year, priority will be given to Life Safety work and will be selected based on priority. Last year the district used the matching funds to repair leaks in the elementary school roof. This year Kazubowski said $42,000 will be sought to improve ventilation in the chemistry room, weight room and elementary bathrooms. The district's share would be $21,000.Kazubowski said a lightning strike on the Blish Building during a severe storm April 17 caused between $38,000 and $39,000 in damage to computers, phones, copiers and other electrical equipment, with the most expensive damage to the bell and intercom system which is connected to the high school. Insurance will cover the repairs and replacements. The Blish Building houses the unit office, classrooms and maintenance department.Bids totaling $17,348 for fire supression equipment and new ovens in the cafeteria, all mandated Life Safety work, were approved.The board also approved the 2013-14 school fee schedule which included a $5 increase in registration fees. Kazubowski pointed out that there have been no increases or decreases in school fees for the past two years.The school lunch and breakfast costs were raised 10 cents as part of a multi-year increase to $2.40 to meet federally mandated nutrition requirements. Kazubowski said cafeteria revenues were down $15,000 this year under the new program, indicating students have not entirely embraced the new health-oriented offerings.The board said yes to a proposal from other districts to continue meetings to discuss cooperative high schools. Wethersfield recently hosted a joint meeting at The Kewanee Dunes with area districts to hear officials from the Paris School District explain how they have used the arrangement."It's worth looking into," said Dennis Kenney. "The voters have indicated they want us to stay the way we are but we have to look at options for an uncertain future with state funding."It was announced that retired Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Dan Johnson, a member of the WHS Class of 1953, will assist with presentation of diplomas to the Class of 2013 on Sunday, May 19. After more than 40 years of active and reserve duty, Johnson, who applied for and received a diploma in January, skipped his senior year to join the military.It was also announced that an Atlanta, Ga., drum and bugle corps will be returning to Wethersfield High School this summer. The "Spirit of Atlanta" has asked if they can use the school's facilities for overnight housing and rehearsals prior to a contest July 9 in Metamora. The corps, on another cross-country summer tour, camped at WHS last summer and remembered the hospitality of school staff and presented their full show for local drum corps fans.Kazubowski said "everything has come together" for replacement of tile flooring in the high school hallway and school maintenance staff and Spets Brothers will hopefully have a new floor in place by early July.After a closed session, the board: - Employed Hannah Safiran as high school Spanish teacher and Key Club advisor for the 2013-2014 school year.- Employed Gwen Holmes as vocal music instructor for the 2013-2014 school year.- Employed Cindy Addis as high school pom pon coach and Jane Liichow as volunteer assistant high school pom pon coach for the 2013-2014 school year.- Employed Marla (Milroy) Horsley as assistant high school volleyball coach for the 2013-2014 school year.- Approved non-certified staff positions and a 1.83 percent raise for all non-certified staff.- Accepted the resignations of Kathy Bausman as AFS sponsor and Brandon Christy as assistant high school football coach effective immediately.